Disclaimer: We do not own the Dragon Age or Elder Scrolls series

Co-Author and Beta: Etheral-23

The battle at Ostagar

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

For obvious reasons, Morrigan only led the group halfway through a hidden trail back to Ostagar. Having imparted directions for the rest of the way to Marcus, they had returned safely to the ancient ruins at dusk with several dozen bonfires being lit around the encampment for the night. The sight of the Ferelden regiment was welcoming for some members of the company as Neria sighed beside Brianna and Gin.

"Though I would like to say I never want to do that again. Not much of an opinion in our new profession is there?" The young elven mage murmured while resting her head on Amell's arm.

"Indeed lady Surana," Ser Jory remarked as he rubbed his neck. "We will be facing an indurating life ahead of us as Grey Wardens."

Beside the knight and Daveth, Gin let out a weary groan; "Just hope Duncan lets us rest before we do anything else." By the Maker that blasted forest was a deathtrap with all those damn Darkspawn running amok.

A chuckle came from the former Templar; "You'll least have an hour or two while we prepare your Joining ritual. Get some food or rest up if you need it." Loke barked happily garnering a pat on the head from Alistair; "You earn double for being a good soldier." At that the huge mastiff pranced around wagging his stubby tail.

"Don't spoil him." Marcus jested with a smirk.

"All those with a blade I want either me or the Quartermaster to have a look over them, also goes with your armors," Miara chimed with a serious expression. Though in her mind was going through a mental tirade on account of Sarya being anything BUT discreet! Of course her beautiful, brilliant, and insufferable youngest daughter found a way into the Fade and decided without even talking to her MOTHERS, taught a Thedosian mage the Aedric Spear!

Thanks to her hood, none saw the hidden scowl from Serana who currently felt like strangling her youngest daughter. Sofie only hoped someone here had some strong alcohol to alleviate this growing headache that was her sister.

Passing the camp of the Ash Warriors, they approached the Warden's camp with Duncan now dressed in proper Warden Leathers and armor stood at the center near a large campfire. Peering into the fire he soon shifted his gaze as the group neared. "Welcome back, I am glad all of you survived and are safe." The commander's words being sincere as he surveyed each one of them; "How was your first experience facing the Darkspawn?"

Surprisingly it was Neria who spoke first as she gripped her stave; "I-I froze." She said with shame in her voice. "Those… monsters were absolutely terrifying and when we first met them in battle, I froze…" Her voice a whisper before taking a long calming breath as the others looked at her. Duncan's face remained unreadable before the young elf continued and turned to Marcus; "It was Lord Cousland who got me to push my fear down and fight. For that I am grateful." She gave a small bow to the man who shifted awkwardly.

"No need to call me 'Lord Cousland' Neria. To be frank I did not like yelling at you, but I wanted you to understand how dangerous that place was and that not fighting could have killed us."

Duncan kept his steely gaze on the young elven mage; "How do you feel now Neria?"

"I will admit I still hate fighting, but I will use my magic to protect my friends and the people of Thedas against those blighters." Though her voice was shaky, her resolution was not, and that was all the commander of the Grey needed to hear as he nodded. Brianna gave her longtime friend a quick warm hug with a proud smile.

Miara smirked with a sideways glance to Neria before she took notice of Duncan's attention was to her, Serana, and Sofie; "And your opinions of the Darkspawn?"

"They are perverse abominations of life that must be eradicated," the dovahkiin spoke with grim finality as she crossed her arms under her bust. Both her lover and their daughter agreed with a silent nod.

"And you Marcus?"

The young noble took a deep resolving breath; "I won't let those beasts have their way with Ferelden. We will stop them here." At his side Loke barked in agreement. Marcus won't let those monsters near his mother, Iona, Oren, or Amethyne!

The Gray Warden nodded in approval, "Good, keep that candor. You will need it for the battle" He turned to his recruits, "Did you bring what was asked?"

"We did" Brianna said as she and Neria stepped forward, each sorting through their pouches. "Five vials of Darkspawn blood" The human mage said as she handed him the small crystal cases filled with black blood.

"And the treaties" The elven mage followed, holding the copy of the treaties in her hand.

"Well done" Duncan said as he took the vial, "You may keep those Neria"

"Are you sure?"

"The other treaties are secure with our belongings in the Gray Warden tents, but if by some chance they are destroyed on the battle, I'd rather you keep the copy for yourself"

The elf nodded, "Alright" And pocketed them right back on her pouch. It was best to be safe, so she agreed with Duncan's decision.

"Duncan" Alistair came forward, "The treaties were in possession of local wilder. Apostates at that"

"I see" The Warden Commander replied slowly, taking in the new information. "Did you fight them?"

"No, but-"

"Then it's no longer a concern. The treaties are with us, apostates or not it's none of our business. Leave that to the Chantry and the Templars"

"...Right," Alistair quietly sighed; "Old habit, my apologies."

As that mattered ended Duncan looked to everyone; "Now, Alistair and I must prepare the Joining ritual, this will take at least an hour so rest up till then. Marcus, Miara, Serana, Sofie. I thank you for assisting my recruits and Alistair."

"Glad to help," Sofie grinned with a short nod.

"Once the Joining is over I wish to speak with you Miara," Duncan spoke quickly before the group diapered. The elf gave a nod as she left with Serana and Sofie.

"Wonder what that is about?" Serana questioned garnering a shrug from her elven lover. "At any rate I think we all earned a break."

"And some alcohol." Sofie murmured as she stretched her arms. "I haven't had a workout like that in a while."

Before Miara could retort back a young elf in plain clothes ran up to them; "Lady Miara Redoran?" They stopped walking as the older elf gave a nod; "Teyrn Loghain wishes to speak with you."

Okay... Well that was odd but the dunmer shrugged before looking over to her lover and daughter; "I'll catch up with you two."

"Try not to piss off the nobility," Serana remarked in a cheeky tone as she and Sofie left.

An annoyed grumble came from the Dovahkiin rolling her eyes before peering back to the messenger; "Lead the way."

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

"The king and general Loghain are busy at the moment" The guard dutifully informed Marcus, barring him from approaching the royal tents.

Hmph, so much for some last minute words with Cailan and Loghain. Oh well, they had pressing matters to attend to. If the reports were correct, the main Darkspawn horde that was marching upon them was approaching. He reckoned it would only be a matter of hours before they arrived and the battle was joined in full.

"Very well" He said, still unsatisfied. "Can I leave a message for you? There is something I need to ask them" He needed to know if there was any new information about his brother.

It was not the guard who answered, but a woman's voice from behind him. "Perhaps I can help you instead"

He turned to see a familiar smiling face. Blue eyes that stared mirthfully at him, black hair tied in a bun with two strands framing the sides of her face. She wore heavy plates over chainmail that concealed her strongly built frame, with wolf's fur adorning the area around her neck and back. On said back was a moderately ornate and finely crafted greatsword.

"Cauthrien" Marcus barked a small laugh, "I was wondering when I'd see you. I thought it weird you weren't stuck to Loghain's shadow"

Instead of being insulted, she took his jest in stride, "Assassins expect me to be at his shadows. They never see my blade coming anyway"

A chortle came from the Cousland as the two shook hands and departed from the royal tent. Both conversed as they roamed about the ruins, having become good friends several years ago during a skirmish with a large bandit group connected to slavers. It was a brutal battle but the two along with their trusted soldiers brought down the group and forged a strong friendship between them.

Crossing the large bridge the two plus Mabari stopped as they beholden to the vast forest below as the sun set. Cauthrien rubbed the top of Loke's head before glancing to her friend; "I... heard what happened. I'm sorry."

A despondent gleam came to Marcus's eyes; "Once the Darkspawn are dealt with I'll be paying a visit to Rendon." A low growl came from his throat as he controlled his rage.

"To face trial." The Cousland sharply turned his head with a heated glare which was met with his friend own steely stare. "I want nothing more than to cut that bastard in half as much as you for what he did. But we do this the right way." Her voice was stern and speaking with reason.

Those words sparked his conversation he had before with Miara on their way here days prior. Quelling his temper the man nodded before gazing back to the forest. "I was going to ask Loghain or his majesty if any news came from Fergus."

"I can tell you that, none so far." Cauthrien stated with an apologetic tone. "But they should be arriving back soon." She said quickly so not to let her friend worry.

A nod came from young man as he sighed; "Faced my first Darkspawn when going with the Warden recruits along with Miara, her lover, and their oldest daughter."

"Heard about some foreign mercenaries that were in the employ of the Wardens" Loghain's right hand commented. "Are those them?"

"It's... more complicated than that. Miara's an elf, from far off shores, across the sea"

"Truly?" Her eyes were wide with disbelief.

"Indeed, she stayed at Castle Cousland for a time as a guest. Since then she's quickly been becoming a friend" He smiled in remembrance, "I can safely tell you she's to be trusted, and her skill on the battlefield is something to behold. Having her on our side is an asset"

"I'll take your word for it" She smiled good naturedly, "You're not an easy man to impress. I still remember your face when I showed you I could wield this monster with just one hand" She thumbed the blade's handle over her shoulder. "Not many women who can do something like that" Qunari women didn't count, for obvious reasons.

Marcus feigned a sound of awkwardness, hissing a breath through his teeth. "So sorry to inform you Cauthrien, but Sofie, Miara's daughter, can also wield a two handed blade in one hand. I'm afraid you're not the only one anymore" He laughed internally at her expression.

"...You mean that avvar-looking woman?" She numbly asked. "I've seen her sparring with the recruits. Maker, she's a mountain. Her arms make mine look feeble"

Which was no easy feat, until he met Sofie, he believed Cauthrien to be the most brawny woman knew. Those arms of her made wielding a large sword like hers a child's play.

"You should try sparring with her" He said, "I imagine the two of you would have fun"

A chuckle came from the woman; "I just might once this madness is done with."

"You think this could be Blight? I mean the amount of Darkspawn out here is too large for a standard horde." Marcus questioned with a glance.

Cauthrien shrugged in response; "Honestly I can't say, while I agree the Darkspawn numbers are larger than normal. We have not seen an ArchDemon flying the skies or in the wilds."

At that Marcus paused as he recalled the tales from Aldous; "I heard a few tales on how intelligent those tainted Old Gods are. And a few stories from Duncan on the way here"

"You sound like his majesty," The woman jested with a coy smirk with hands on her hips. "You're a believer in facts and logic as much as I and Lord Loghain are. At best this horde could be led by some Darkspawn Alphas."

That was a possibility too as Marcus thought for moment. For all they knew this could be exactly like Loghain had deduced this as being an abnormal sized horde and not a Blight. But what was father always said? 'Examine every fact thoroughly before leading to assumptions'. A murmur came from the young noble; "Hope for the best and be prepared the worst I suppose."

"Should be our motto considering all the supposedly 'routine' missions we've done together." Cauthrien gave a dismissive snort. Loke gave a grumbling bark as if agreeing with her.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

"Ahhh there we go" The kennel master said with a large relieved smile on his face. He gently placed the flowers the young elven mage had given him on the alchemy table. "These will definitely cure the big pupper"

"Mabari are a fascinating breed" Brianna spoke with interest as she observed the battle hounds. To think Tevinter managed to breed a creature with such intelligence and particularly a potential resistance to the Blight. It intrigued her to no end.

"Will he truly be alright?" Neria asked with concern. She wasn't too familiar with mabari biology, and despite being informed about how their race could either adapt or die to the Taint, it still left her rather anxious.

"Well these beauties he certainly will help" The man spoke with certainty. "You know, perhaps you could try coming over after the battle. Maybe he'll imprint on you"

The elf blinked a couple of times in surprise, "Me?"

"Why not?" The kennel master shrugged, "You were able to muzzle him. And now thanks to you he'll live"

Neria Peered over to the kennel where the huge grey furred mastiff was lying on some hay. He was awake and was looking right at her. "...I always wanted a dog," She spoke a in a soft voice with a smile tugging her lips.

The kennel master looked pleased at her words while Brianna rolled her eyes. Oh she could tell a few stories of Neria when she was younger but she was not as sarcastic as Serana. Bidding the man their farewells leaving the man to his work, Neria giving a small wave to grey mabari who lifted his muzzled head letting out a light bark.

Brianna snorted seeing the child-like smile from her friend; "Well knowing you will getting a dog after this mess made your day better."

"Didn't you steal Anders kitten he found because you thought you could a better job than him raising it?"

"Well I did considering all he ever does is run away," Brianna boasted while not hiding the small blush on her cheeks.

Nearing the mages/Templar camp Wynne's voice could be heard with a strained calm. "How many times must I tell you before you understand Uldred?"

A man's voice remarked back in a deep aged tone; "Your opinion, out of the rest of the Senior Enchanters, holds more sway with Irving. More than that, I know you agree with some of the views of the Libertarians."

Both young mages knew that voice and held back a hiss. Walking around one of the tents there they saw Wynne with an irritated expression next to a bald middle-aged man in mixed black leather and red cloth battle robes. His expression stern as he held his stave tightly.

"Senior Enchanter Uldred." Amell drawled with mild disdain.

"Right, I forgot he was assigned to Ostagar too" Neria dourly said, feeling the tips of her ears drop slightly.

It wasn't that Uldred was a bad man, he was... hard to get along with. The Libertarian made his views quite clear on everyone; constantly pushing the boundaries of what the Chantry deemed 'acceptable' and openly criticizing everyone who disagreed with him. His attitude had made him quite a few enemies within the political factions of the Circle. And that wasn't going into how the man's disposition as a teacher, always so unreasonably demanding to his students. Most young mages knew better than to sign up for his classes if one wanted to retain their self-esteem intact.

Never one to waste an opportunity, it looked like he was, yet again, trying to convince Wynne to join the Libertarians. In Brianna's honest opinion, one would have better luck asking water to stop being wet.

"This is neither the time, nor the place, Uldred" Wynne replied in a much sterner tone than she would give to her students. "Maker's sake, we're about to fight the Darkspawn. Can you not for fraction of a second push aside the politics and focus on the task at hand?"

The bald mage narrowed his eyes displeased at his fellow senior enchanter. "Very well" He grunted in resignation, "I have to prepare for the war meeting anyway, and" His eyes shifted to the young Warden recruits, who merely stared back silently at him, "It seems you have company. Amell, Surana" He cordially said. If cordiality implied an ice cold tone.

"Senior Enchanter" Brianna said neutrally. She never got along with Uldred.

"Imagine my surprise when I heard the news" The older mage said airily. "What a fine mess you two got yourselves in. Fortunately for you both, the Wardens were there to save your skins"

Neria bit her lip in remembrance of what happened that day. "Yes, we were fortunate"

"Hmph, the two of you Wardens" Ugh, he sounded so condescending. "Mock battles tests were never your forte, Surana. And Amell, are you ready to follow orders? You always had... problem with authority"

'Look who's talking'. It was a miracle Brianna managed to keep her mouth shut. "I believe I can do my duty"

His posture said he very much wanted to roll his eyes at that, "Says the young woman who could not even deliver a paper on time"

"That was five years ago, I got the measles and had to be put on quarantine!"

"And yet, you did not use that extra time to study"

"Enough." Wynne reserved finality with deep frown at her fellow enchanter. "You have a meeting to prepare and attend to Uldred."

The older man grunted before striding passed the two recruits with a cold scowl directed at them both. As he left the elderly woman let out a weary groan; "I swear that man has not stopped with his constant hounding since coming here."

"You would think dealing with the Darkspawn would take priority over politics." Brianna drawled as she shook her head.

At those words Wynne lifted a brow; "I honestly was always surprised you never joined the Libertarians Amell."

Brianna only scoffed as she crossed her arms; "I never cared for the fraternities in general. They all spout nonsense as far as I was concerned."

Wynne never could fully figure out Amell. She had a rebellious streak much like Anders but never went to the lengths he had gone to. Never stopped her though from being fiercely outspoken and openly argued with Greagoir and Irving either.

"So" The white haired mage changed the subject, "How did you fare in your first battle, Neria?"

The dark tanned mage let out an explosive breath, "Oh Maker it was... terrifying. There was so much going on, so much... noise, just shouts and weapons clashing, and death..."

Wynne nodded in sympathy for the poor girl. She remembered the first time she participated in an open battle like that. "Indeed, a battlefield can be nightmarish. It takes experience to keep a level head through it all"

"I liked it" And then there was Brianna, whose own experience of the whole thing was... a touch different than Neria's. "It felt like I truly use my magic at last, like I had all, all this" She waved her hands, as though trying to grasp for a word that eluded her mind. The smile on her face was that of pure thrill. "Energy buried inside me, and I could finally let it all out"

Both Neria and Wynne shared a long flat inexpressive gaze at Amell. "Well I am at least happy you discovered a 'healthy' outlet for yourself," the Senior Enchanter quipped wryly.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Miara had seen young Marcus attempting to have a meeting with Loghain but was dismissed by the guards. Then met with a woman who the elf later learned was the Teyrn's top lieutenant Ser Cauthrien, who seemed a friend of the Cousland as they departed chatting lively. Waiting for the Teyrn to finish counseling the young king, Miara leaned against a stone pillar with her arms crossed under her bust.

Her eyes regarded Masser and Secunda as they illuminated the arriving starry night sky. The elf's ears twitched at the sound of movement before gazing downwards to Loghain's tent seeing the guards move as the king departed. Though his expression was tense, his eyes remained calm as he walked away. Loghain appeared just at the threshold of the tent entrance with a deep scowl before rubbing his eyes tiredly with a groan.

"He has both Maric's and Rowan's stubbornness. How my Anora can rein him in only the Maker knows." The Ferelden general grumbled with a quiet huff. His eyes soon shifted feeling a gaze and seeing the foreign elven woman Miara strode towards him; "Miara Redoran I presume."

The elf gave a nod as she stopped before giving a respectful bow to the man; "Greetings Teyrn Loghain Mac Tir, the Couslands told me quite a bit about you during my stay with them."

"Marcus has spoken about you as well. He owes his life and those of his remaining family and subjects to you" The general replied.

"No debts are owned" Miara sincerely stated, "I did the right thing, nothing else, nothing more"

"Indeed" His tone was carefully, as if trying to assess her. Though he couldn't hid the look on his eyes. Mistrust, suspicion. In her long experience, working with several shady people, Miara knew when people were being suspicious.

Delphine's eternal paranoia was a bright forest fire compared to the dim glow in Loghain's eyes, but it was still one Miara was intimately familiar with.

"I'm sure Cailan will reward you anyway" He continued, his voice more even now. "He's enamored with the idea of a new continent, his excitement regarding meeting foreigners like you only trumped by his desire to fight the Darkspawn" Loghain said with annoyance.

"I'm sure you wish he could be more like his father then?" Miara had heard nothing but praise for the great rebel king Maric.

At that, Loghain barked out a rare laugh, "In some aspects I'd wish he was. In others... well, I think he has too much of his father as it is" The hero of River Dane paused, the elf observed various emotions from the man's face. "At the very least he does have his mother's common sense, when he feels inclined to use it," the last words came out as a quiet murmur but Miara heard it well.

Late Queen Rowan Theirin, daughter of Rendorn Guerrin and older sister of Arl Eamon of Redcliffe. Bryce and Eleanor both had spoken very highly of her as she too fought in the rebellions against Orlais. But she sadly had died due to an incurable illness when Cailan was but an infant.

It was tragic but not the reason Miara was requested to see the teyrn. "I understand you wish to speak with me."

"Indeed," The man invited the elf into his tent with a gesture. Kindly she took a seat on one of the chairs as he did the same at his makeshift desk/war-table. Neither spoke as they simply stared at one another with a measuring gaze. Though like many she had seen since coming to Ferelden, a measure of distrust and wariness. "I'm not much for small talk so will speak plainly with you. I do not trust you. Your daughter or your lover." The Teyrn's voice while not hateful, it held a frigid tone.

"And I'd question your reasoning if you did. Given what I have learned from my stay with the Couslands, Orlais left many with scars and wariness towards anyone outside your nation visiting." The stories told by Bryce, Eleanor, and Aldous she was amazed they allowed Ragnar's ship to even make port in Denerim.

Loghain leaned forward resting his elbows on his desk. "So I question, is it a bit strange your family splits up upon leaving Denerim, and you conveniently rescue Bryce from a band of cut throats."

The Dragonborn was seeing where these lines of questioning were going. And she honestly wondered why Bryce never asked something like this. Perhaps he was simply more open than his fellow Teyrn. "And if I was a possible spy for my country, bribing some bandits to attack one of the top nobility next to crown to make myself appear as a just person would smooth things over better."

Not the first time she had to go through something like this. Though it was in High Rock. "So I'll ask the question, are you and your 'family' spies for this Tamriel?"

"No." Granted that was an outright lie because they were, but not for the reasons Loghain was likely thinking of.

The general just looked at her with analytical eye for what felt a few minutes, trying to find any possible tell sign that she was lying. But Miara had perfected the art long ago, he would find nothing.

"Very well then" He said, it wasn't acceptance, but rather resignation that perhaps he wouldn't get anything else out of her. "So, I understand you'll be fighting with the Wardens"

"Correct" The elf nodded, "They appear to be a courageous order. It'll be an honor to fight at their side"

"Hmph, we'll see" He snorted skeptically.

At that Miara raised a brow in question, "You do not appear to hold them in high regard?"

"Wardens have a precarious history with Ferelden" He explained, "Only recently by Maric's generosity were they allowed to make a base in our lands once again"

"Right" She tried recalling the lessons on Ferelden history by Aldous. "They broke their neutrality and rebelled against Ferelden's king a few centuries ago"

If Loghain was surprised she knew of their history, he did not show it. "You'll forgive me if I keep a watchful eye on them. It's bad enough that Cailan is expecting Orlais to send their chevaliers to aid us" He nearly spat with distaste, "We can fight the Spawn on our own, we don't need the people who enslaved us to help us on some false pretension"

"The Blight threatens all" Miara pointed out.

"Save your lands." Loghain retorted with a cocked brow; "Marcus informed me there are no Darkspawn in Tamriel. Your nation has never suffered any Blight."

"Nor do I intend to allow it to spread to Tamriel." The elf commented with a steely resolve. However she saw a dismissive gleam from the man; "You do not think this is a Blight do you?"

"No, our scouts have not seen a single sighting of an Archdemon. At best this is a horde lead by several Alphas." The man wrapped his knuckles on his table as he surveyed his map; "And for that we have no need for Orlesian assistance."

Loghain hid it well but Miara could hear the edge of hatred in the man's tone. And eerily reminded her of someone she knew once, a long time ago. But not wanting to get into an argument with the general of the Ferelden armies she changed subjects. "So by extension of helping the Wardens you will keep an eye on me, Sofie, and Serana. I accept that." She paused for a moment. "We're both old enough to know trust is earned by actions and deeds. So let us show you while yes we are from a foreign land. We are here to help." Why she made herself useful at Highever training the soldiers and working at the forge with the Dwarven couple. To show Bryce's faith was not misplaced in her.

The Teyrn was quiet for a long moment before he gave a small nod; "I can agree with that."

Miara nodded back as she stood. "Then let us end these Darkspawn before they cause any harm to your nation. It was an honor to meet you Teyrn Loghain." She gave a respectful bow as the man stood and repeated the gesture.

"Same, may we speak again once this is over." The elf gave a nod as she left the tent.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Sofie sat among the soldiers as they all prepared themselves for the coming battle. The Nordic woman was able to find Carver easily amongst the rest taking a seat on some broken pillars. Quickly was she asked a number of questions, not only by him but by the others around them. Close by Aveline who listened in while conversing with some soldiers.

"I can't wait to test my blade against those things" The young man was eager, that much was obvious. "Finally, a chance to test my mettle"

"While I approve of that eagerness for battle" The large nord spoke, "Don't be a fool. Rushing in without thinking is a fast way to the grave. And you" She patted him in the shoulder, "seem quite headstrong"

He made a face that showed his displeasure, "You sound like my sisters"

"Well your sisters are wise then" Aveline commented idly while she peeled off an apple with a knife.

"Pfft, you wouldn't say that if you knew my elder sister Marian"

"I can attest to that" Sofie drone, "Met her in Lothering, sometimes I thought she's not all there in the head. Though she has quite the talent for gardening, almost magical really" She sent a mischievous grin at Carver. The young man could only stare in confusion before horrified realization dawned on him. Though Sofie was quick to put him at ease with a secret wink that went unnoticed by the others. "Tell me Carver, you're here to make something for yourself aren't you?"

"Father..." He began uneasily. "Well, Marian and Bethany always required more attention, so he spent more time with them. He taught me how to use a sword, but eventually I figured out the rest myself" He let out a snort, "It's frustrating, always being on your sibling's shadow"

"Oi, you think you have it bad kid?" Another soldier replied, "My own pa' never found a lesson he couldn't teach without a belt"

"My brother is an ass" Yet another soldier added, "Took his money and went off to live the 'high life', he hasn't spoken to us in years"

"Honor and glory are all fine and good" Aveline said, taking a bite from her apple. "But we're here to fight for Ferelden. Put your ambitions aside and focus on what truly matters right now"

A veteran soldier nodded beside the woman; "We are the barrier to the Darkspawn from attacking the rest of Ferelden. Protecting the people who cannot fight for themselves and our families. We are their sword and shield to defend them from this evil. This is not about us, this is about them."

His words seem inspire a few, earning some respectful nods. Carver said nothing as he looked down at his sword. Images flash in his mind as he sees his mother and sisters. The fight he had with Marian and their mother while Bethany bless her tried to play peacemaker as he left Lothering to aid in Ostagar came to his mind. Maker he wished it had not came to that, but he did not want to stay stuck in Lothering looking after his sisters who he knew could handle themselves. Was it selfish? Most likely, and he talk things over again once he came back home.

Course there was the gnawing fear he might not make it back and die here. He gripped his sword tightly as he shook his head; "I will survive this and make it home." His voice quiet as gazed up to the sky.

"It's good to stay positive" Sofie patted his shoulder. "You'll make your family proud."

Carver chuckled; "Just hoping some ogre doesn't crush me."

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Strolling through the camp Miara made her way to the Quartermaster who was going over Ser Jory's sword. She was glad the young man followed her advice, the knight gave a small greetings before leaving with his newly sharpen sword. The Quartermaster, who was a bald human man with stubby beard was surprised at first by the elven women being so tall. Then after speaking he realized it was the foreigner who knew some smithing as he was told by the Cousland earlier who came by.

After some light chatter he was impressed how well the woman knew the craft. Presently the man was sharpening a spearhead while Miara looked over several schematics for armors and weapons as Serana nearing them; "I should have guessed I'd find you here after speaking with the Teyrn," the vampire quipped dryly.

"Well you know me"

"Yes I do. Maybe someday you'll love me as much as you love the forge"

The dunmer in disguise rolled her eyes, "Duncan said he'll begin the ceremony to initiate the others soon"

"What do you think they need with the Darkspawn blood?" Serana questioned as she stood by her lover, crossing her arms with a pensive look on her face. "I have a theory, but I don't like it"

Miara's gaze darkened for a moment, "I can only guess, but... Alistair said Wardens can feel the Darkspawn. It can't be any coincidence"

Serana let out a sigh as she whispered loud enough for Miara's elven ears to hear her. "I believe they will take the Darkspawn blood, that way they'll be connected to the Blight and feel those things" The alchemist in her pondered the possibilities of what such a ritual would entail. Blood magic was a specialty of hers after all, it came with being a vampire. "The Wardens must have refined the procedure to avoid the Tainted blood killing those who take it. Even then, I'm not convinced it's a hundred percent safe"

The elf's eyes shifted worriedly for a moment, thinking of how to properly word her next sentence. Eventually she decided it was better to get it over with, "I got hit with a Tainted blood arrow on the swamp"

Dread glossed over Serana's eyes before Miara covered her mouth so not to scream out; "Let's go talk privately." She spoke in a hush tone before shifting to the Quartermaster; "How much for the schematics?"

"Free, just this once. You don't know how refreshing it is to speak to someone who truly knows smithing." The man smirked as he went back to work. Tucking away the papers into her belt satchel Miara left with Serana quickly beside her. Worry written on her face. They needed somewhere to talk, away from anyone around.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

The moons bathed light over the ruins as the recruits waited at a section of the ruins furthest away from the camp. Neria heaved a sigh beside Brianna who observed Ser Jory pacing about. Near the knight was Daveth and Gin playing with a deck of cards while sitting on the ground.

Neria only deadpanned at the two rogues; "Aren't both of you nervous?" She asked as she held her stave close.

"Course we are dear." Daveth spoke casually gazing at a card in his hand; "But letting it get to you won't help much now will it?"

His words did have merit Brianna quietly agreed, though Jory did not as he kept pacing. "You're going to wear out your boots before leaving an indent on the ground Ser knight." She jested trying to calm the tall man.

"I just don't get why we're still going through all these tests" Jory retorted with impatience, "Haven't we earnt our place already?"

"You sound scared" Gin noted, folding his hand. The cards just did not like him today.

The knight paused with a long sigh, "I just... have a bad feeling. Why so much secrecy? Wardens are notorious for their tight lips regarding their order. I don't like the fact they're holding their initiation ritual a secret"

"Many orders often keep such things close to their chests for multiple reasons" Neria said, trying to sooth the man's worries. "The Circle's own initiation is kept from the apprentices as well. And I'm sure you went through your own ritual when you were knighted"

The tall man actually chuckled at that, "It involved apples deep in a bucket of beer actually. But that was more of an 'unofficial' thing among my peers" His mirth soon washed away and the worry returned, "What if this initiation is dangerous? I have a child on the way"

Gin snorted, "And you thought fighting the Darkspawn was any safer for you?"

"Well, no..." He admitted sheepishly. "But I prefer an enemy I can beat with my blade"

"After seeing those things" Daveth said with a surprising level of maturity, "Wouldn't you give anything to keep that wife and child of yours safe?"

"I suppose..." The knight admitted. But... not coming back to them was a thought that haunted him.

Daveth shuffled his deck though kept his gaze on the knight, his eyes steely. "After what I saw in the Wilds, I am ready to do whatever I have to in order to stop those beasts." The rogue lowered his gaze to the ground; "I can say my life up this point really did not mean much. Just another lowly cut purse that would have likely been another neck stretched on the hangman's noose." He stopped shuffling his deck to point at Jory; "Or your blade chopping my head off for thieving. But after today, I can finally say I am doing something worth a damn. And if I die because of this ritual..." He points to Gin; "You get my crossbow and daggers."

"...You know you actually had me liking you more sounding so noble, till that last bit." Brianna droned with a shake of her head.

The recruits soon perk up as they seen Duncan and Alistair were striding towards them. The commander holding a simple yet beautiful chalice in both hands. "And so at last we come to the final test of becoming Grey Wardens, the Joining." Duncan's voice was steely and yet distant as he stopped in front of the group.

Alistair stood a good foot away with a solemn gaze towards everyone. A look that did not go unnoticed by Gin. "I take it this ritual it more than a little dangerous?" As he and Daveth rose to stand beside Jory.

"Indeed, many die taking part in this ritual." Duncan admitted as he gazed at all of them; "That reason is a part of why you all went to retrieve Darkspawn blood."

Neria's mind soon began connecting the dots, a sense of dread going up her spine. At first she thought it impossible, that there were no way the Wardens would actually employ such a thing into their initiation. But her more logical self was gaining ground, seeing the evidence presented to her. Alistair saying Wardens felt the Darkspawn...

Why else would they need the Darkspawn blood?

"You want us" She said, her voice nearly shivering, "to drink the blood?"

The eyes of her fellow initiates widened in shock and horror. Brianna stared incredulously at her friend while Daveth and Gin exchanged uneasy looks. Ser Jory looked like he was moments away from running away.

"Astute" Duncan complimented her with a nod. "I am not surprised you figured it out. Indeed, we drink Darkspawn blood to feel the Blight so we can end it" He tightened his fist passionately. "This, is the source of our power"

"But it's poison!" Gin exclaimed in outrage, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"The ritual is prepared so the lethality rate is reduced" Alistair explained solemnly, "Even then... not many make it"

"H-How could you have kept this from us?!" Jory demanded.

"How many would join the Wardens knowing what awaits them?" Duncan rhetorically asked with a shrug. "A thousand years ago, the Blight nearly ravaged the world. Bringing humanity, elven and dwarven kind to the brink of annihilation. We made the necessary sacrifices to stop it, we did what needed to be done..." He lifted the chalice to be nearly in front of his face. "What you must do"

For a moment, there was silence.

"Who shall be first?" The Commander asked.

The initiates looked at each other with uncertainty. Knowing there was a chance of death... How could anyone make such a choice?

"I'll do it"

They stared at Daveth in shock as he stepped forward.

"Like I said," The human rogue uttered as he peered at the blood within the chalice; "After what we seen today, I want to change from the life I had." His voice calm and resolute. His gaze rose up to meet Duncan's; "Fifty-fifty chance I live or die drinking this." The commander gave a curt nod; "Then in case the worst happens, thank you Duncan. For showing me another path." Daveth's gaze shifted over towards Gin; "Meant what I said before Tabris. This shite kills me, my crossbow and daggers are yours. Oh, take my deck of cards too."

The city elf quickly countered; "How about we stay somewhat positive in case you don't die!"

At that Daveth chortled before turning back to Duncan and took the chalice. He heaved out a sigh; "To your health." He put the chalice to his lips and drank. Everyone grew still as the man finished and paused lowering the chalice.

Relief however was temporary, as a horrified gasp came from both Neria and Brianna. Daveth's veins became black and visible as he began to cough violently, clawing his own throat while his eyes became white. A curse came from the former Templar as he and Duncan kept their sorrowful gazes on the man, "I am sorry Daveth." The commander's voice was somber as they all watched Daveth convulse onto his knees before falling forward, dead.

"Maker," A terrified whisper came from Ser Jory backed away from Daveth's corpse.

Tears rimmed Neria's eyes with her hands over her mouth muffling her scream. Brianna shook in terror just watching the man they were speaking with a moment again die so horribly. Her stomach churned as she whirled around emptying the contents of her stomach hunched over. Gin shuddered as he paled at the sight of the human he had begun to like.

Kneeling down Duncan slowly took the chalice, Alistair refilled it with the Warden Commander shifting his gaze to the remaining recruits; "Who shall step forward?"

Panic claimed the Highever knight as he drew his greatsword. "There is no honor in this! This is madness!" the man was now in hysterics as the other three backed away from him. "I will not take part in such vile acts!"

However Duncan remained calm despite Jory's sword pointed at him. Alistair was tense but remained still before his mentor handed him the chalice; "There is no turning back once you reached the Joining Ser Jory," The Commander spoke with grim finality drawing one of his swords.

However the tall knight did not relent but charged wildly at old Warden, ready to strike him down. Duncan had remained still till Jory's sword was inches from him. He parried the large weapon with ease surprising the knight by the show of strength. This was matched by Duncan's speed and agility charging and stabbing his blade through the weak points of Jory's armor. The knight gasped as blood sprayed from his fatal wound, bleeding out quickly.

"I am sorry Ser Jory." Duncan was composed but mournful in his voice and gaze as he pulled out his blade and the knight fell to the ground gasping for air before growing still.

"You didn't have to kill him!" Brianna shouted at the horror of what she just saw.

Though Duncan's gaze was stern, it was not without understanding and empathy. "Ser Jory left me no choice once he drew his weapon and attacked. Understand, once the Joining ritual has begun there is no going back."

Brianna nearly charged a spell in her hand, her instincts screaming for her to run. But her gaze snapped to Alistair as she remembered he used to be a Templar, she had no idea what his capabilities were, if he could Dispel or even Smite her. He did not look happy with this but he did not question Duncan either, he seemed mournfully accepting of the whole situation.

So these were her choices, attack the experienced fighters and hope for the best, try to make a run out of Ostagar... or give in and drink the physical evil that could very well kill them.

"No choice at all" The human mage said with resignation, her shoulders sagging. "That day at the Tower I... I thought you were saving us"

"I made you no such promise" Duncan replied, "I told you being a Warden required sacrifices"

"This freedom is no freedom at all" Neria spoke solemnly; she couldn't tear her eyes away from Jory and Daveth's bodies. "We were never in control of our lives"

"...No, we were not" Gin spoke; his voice was raspy and emotional. He took a step forward. "We elves know that better than anyone" Though his words were those of defeat, there was a sense of determination to them. "Behind the alienage walls, under the thumb of some shem with money and power, it's always the same. But at least this cause is worth dying for" Daveth's words echoed clearly in his mind. "So be it. I'm not so cowardly that I will run away from my fate"

At least his life would have meant something this way.

Duncan sheathed his blade before taking back the chalice from Alistair. Gin soon stood before the Commander, ready for whatever awaits him. "If I die, can someone send a letter to my family?"

The elderly Warden gave a nod; "I'll take it there myself. I owe your father and the elder that much."

"Thank you." He glanced over to Neria; "It was good to see you again." He did not wait for her reply as he took the chalice and gulped down the tainted blood. Finishing he gave back the chalice and waited. Neria and Brianna came to him just as he eyes became white and he fell to the ground.

Both mages were swift to kneel beside young elven rogue who was now unconscious. Neria cried out joyful tears feeling a pulse and seeing him breathing though unconscious. She leaned forward resting her forehead on Gin's chest; "He is alive." She whispered as her tears fell.

Amell let out a relieved sigh noticing Duncan and Alistair were also grateful to hear that. The Warden Commander soon refilled the Chalice once more. This time Brianna quickly stood before the older man. Neither said a word but Duncan could feel the young woman's anger towards him. "If this kills me," Brianna uttered quietly; "Keep Neria safe. Promise me Duncan."

"Bri!" Neria's head shot upward with renewed tears as her longtime friend shifted her head to her with her own tears.

"You're more than my friend, you're my sister," Brianna's voice cracked with her lower lip quivering. "I love you with all my heart. So stay strong for me if I am not here okay." Before she could lose her nerve she took the Chalice and swallowed down its contents.

The vile blood burned her throat and made its way through her body, almost as though bypassing the stomach and directly spreading throughout every vein. It burnt horribly, so much that she could barely catch her breath as she fell to the ground unconscious.

Neria couldn't have gotten to her side any faster, and sobbed with relief as she found a pulse. "She's alive..." The dark tanned elf said with great relief.

"She and Gin are strong" Duncan complimented the new Wardens as he filled the chalice one last time. "Now, it is your turn, Neria"

The elf watched as Alistair gently carried Brianna away and placed her next to Gin. They look asleep, but it wasn't a peaceful rest, as their faces lightly shifted through discomfort, as though they were having nightmares.

She looked at the cup in the Warden-Commander's hand. It eerily reminded her of her Harrowing, a cup filled with the substance that would determine her fate. And that's how it always went didn't it? Other people deciding for her. Throughout her entire life she could scarcely recall a time in which she had actually made any choice for herself. And the times she could remember were not promising.

She had chosen to help Jowan... and where did that get her?

To live or die, this was the choice now. And even then the outcome could be outside her control.

But Bri had ventured forth and lived; Neria would not let her friend brave through this journey alone. That was all the motivation she needed.

Wordless, she grasped the chalice and brought it to her lips, the foul smell almost made her gag in disgust.

She took in the Blight, swallowing it whole.

She fell unconscious, and the dragon was waiting for her.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Sitting under the moonlight at a broken but hidden tower, away from prying eyes, Miara breathed out a long sigh. At her side Serana took a few calming breaths after her elven explained what occurred in the Wilds. They could not have found a place to talk fast enough as the Nordic vampire was about to scream, demanding to know what happened. Miara has told her everything and showed her the hand which the tainted arrow had struck.

Serana had surveyed every detail of her lover's hand. The relief that washed over her upon hearing that taint left her body and did not harm Miara was immense. But at the same time her alchemist mind was running over the reasons on how Miara was immune to the Taint. And it always came back to one thing.

"It's because you're Ada isn't it?" Her lover's tone being a quiet whisper.

Miara nodded; "The only conclusion that makes any sense of it."

Discovering she was Dragonborn was jarring enough when she first came to Skyrim over thirty years ago. But it was just the tip of the iceberg that went with her 'unique heritage', making her more than a simple Dunmer woman.

"The divine blood and soul are powerful counter to corrupting forces" It reminded Serana of Molag Bal's experiments to create his own kind of dragons, but failed in recreating a dragon soul in the form of a daedric vestige. His powers of ruination and corruption were simply incompatible with orderly properties of an anuic entity. "I believe it stands to reason dragons would also be immune"

"That's what I'm hoping" True, Miara knew such forces could leave their mark on the immortal entities. Durnehviir's flesh had been rendered rotting as though he was an undead creature, and had bound him to the Soul Cairn thanks to the machinations of the Ideal Masters. But the flesh was simply a vessel for the dragon soul that had remained intact. "But... I'm not so sure about the thedosian dragons"

Serana frowned, "You've met one of them here, right?"

"I have" The elf couldn't keep the unease from her voice. "You should have seen it, Serana. That creature was not a divine being, its soul was a candle light compared to the brilliant inferno of the dragon soul. It did not know how to shout, and only traces remained for it to unleash raw power, nothing of the intricacies of the Thu'um. It lacked a sapient mind, intelligence; it was only guided by instinct"

She paused.

"It was an animal. A pale imitation. When I first saw it I felt disgust, and hate"

Within her, her Dovah soul still snarled with fury at the thought of that creature. But the elf kept that side of her calmed; "I wanted nothing more than to tear it pieces for being such a mockery... Till I saw she had eggs."

"I imagine Odahviing gave you an earful for letting her go with her eggs." A snort and roll of the eyes from her elven lover was the answer. "Where is that stubborn oaf anyways?"

"Likely doing his own investigating around Ferelden." Miara shrugged before giving a pointed glance to Serana; "And he knows better than coming to an area dense with people. The soldiers here might mistake him for the ArchDemon and attack him."

"I know, I know," The Vampire lowly grumbled with a huff; "Just be nice having an extra hand." she quipped dryly.

While Odahviing's help would be a huge benefit for them, it was just too dangerous. So for this battle it would rely on their skills and experience to see them through. Like they had many times before.

As Miara and Serana returned to the Warden's camp, they noticed Sofie had returned sitting beside Gin, Neria, and Brianna. Marcus had also just returned with Loke as he and the ladies noticed two others were absent, they turned to see Duncan who stood over by the bonfire with Alistair. "Where are Daveth and Ser Jory?" Miara questioned.

"They have been sent to another front to reinforce the rest of our Warden Brethren" Duncan explained, the light of the bonfire reflecting over the silvery parts of his armor. "Worry not for them"

It was not hard to miss the tightening of Gin's fist, the look of anger on Brianna's face and the deep sadness in Neria's. None of those gestures were so subtle that Miara and her family couldn't notice them. They didn't know what that was about, but it was clear something had happened. But questions would have to wait after the battle was over.

"Now" The Warden-Commander's voice became serious, getting down to business. "I have discussed the battle plans with King Cailan and the rest of the war table. The bulk of the army will confront the Darkspawn in the gorge"

Miara's military mind from her time commanding the Imperial Legion wanted to point out it would be best to hold on a sturdy defensive line in a phalanx formation, but soon realized Ferelden forces lacked the tower shields to make that possible. Besides, she had not been part of the battle plans, it wasn't her place.

"Then, Teyrn Loghain will march with his forces to flank the Darkspawn. For that we will need a signal" He pointed at the great tower at the other side of the fortress. "The Tower of Ishal holds a beacon that we shall lit to inform Loghain's forces to advance. For that, King Cailan has requested a few of my Wardens to be sent there to assure it's done" The bearded man looked at his subordinates, "I shall be sending you three and Alistair"

"What?" Alistair exclaimed in outrage, "I won't be participating in the battle?"

"I am entrusting you with this mission, Alistair" Duncan spoke sternly, "It is vital for our strategy"

"I..." The former Templar sighed, "Yeah, you're right, sorry. We'll see it done" His companions nodded alongside him.

"If you would allow me, Duncan" Marcus stepped forward, "I'd like to accompany them, I can help them oversee when the time to light the signal is ideal"

The commander pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement, finding merit to his words. "Of course"

"I'd like to join them as well" Sofie soon spoke up as well, much to their surprise, "No reason really, just feel they could use a bit of help" Her instinct told her such, and she never doubted it.

Duncan rubbed his beard in thought; "I see no harm in it, unless your mothers disagree with it otherwise." He glanced over to Miara and Serana.

The Nordic vampire snorted out a laugh; "Our daughter is thirty seven years old and more than capable of defending herself."

"And we would worry regardless anyways because we are her mothers. But we trust our Sofie's judgement." Miara stated with a smile.

Sofie only beamed at the praise before Duncan gave an approving nod. "With that out of the way would you Lady Miara and Serana accompany me beside in the gorge?"

"Of course," The Dunmer stated patting Dawnbreaker; "my blade will be the most use there."

"Then we are set. We have less than an hour to prepare, so everyone get ready." Duncan spoke with a steely authority that reminded Miara of a general.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Storm clouds were gathering, already thunder echoed through the sky as lightning flashed, briefly illuminating the gorge below where the Ferelden army stood in waiting. Front rows of soldiers accompanied by faithful mabari hounds stood ready to be the first lines that would meet the Darkspawn horde. As was the case with such soldiers in that position, morale was mixed, some stood resolute and firm, others trembled at the thought of fighting those monsters.

A chantry priestess walked through the battle lines, gently waving an incense burner while muttering prayers, bringing some comforts to the soldiers that looked to their faith for protection.

Above in the bridge, regiments of archers stood ready for the signal to be given. Water would not be the only thing that would rain down upon the Darkspawn, but fire coated steel.

As far as preparations went, Miara acknowledged the Ferelden army stood a decent chance at fighting the Darkspawn. The key would be Loghain's forces that were waiting in hiding to flank the horde. She partially entertained the thought of clearing the sky, or infuse the soldiers's spirits with courage, but quickly thought against it. It would just make the soldiers panic all the more at the display of such magic. The Thu'um could be a game changer, so long as your allies knew what you were doing.

She and Serana followed Duncan through the battlements, who followed Cailan in turn. "The plan will work your majesty" He assured the king.

"Of course it will" He said with far too much confidence for Miara's liking, "The Blight ends here"

Miara's eyes glanced to her lover who bore the same dry expression she had. Both sincerely hoped this battle could temper the young king into the proper royal he could truly be for his nation and people. Rain soon poured down from the heavens as the Dragonborn could feel Dawnbreaker heating the side of her hip.

In the dense foliage of the forest, countless torches could be seen progressing towards the gorge. "Here they come," Serana murmured with disgust as hundreds of Darkspawn came into their view. Genlocks, Hurlocks, Shrieks; all of the varying types and still as grotesque as before.

Miara leaned forward to Duncan and the king; "Take it those are Ogres?"

Her question came at the sight of near giant hulking muscular creatures that towered over all the other Spawn. Some have dark purple skin while others were pale with black spots. Some had patchwork of armor pieces while others had none, and finally all were adorned with large horns on their heads.

"Yes, do not face one of them alone. They have been known to tear people apart with ease." The Warden Commander commented with a stern frown.

"And that one Duncan?" Cailan garnered everyone's attention towards one the biggest Hurlocks that Duncan had ever seen.

To Miara, it rivaled the height of an Altmer, but with the build of a Nordic warrior, wearing full dull golden plate armor and horned helmet. In its hand was a massive jagged battle-axe it held in one hand with ease. The beast soon stood at the head of it kin.

The old Warden narrowed his gaze; "And Alpha, a very powerful one by the looks of it."

It stood at the head of the horde, no doubt leading them. They could hear the bloodthirsty growls and roars of the Darkspawn even from their position. Battle cries that sang for destruction and death, the monsters were eager to tear apart every single non Tainted creature in sight. They sought naught else but to spread their darkness and consume them all.

Miara could sincerely say this horde was a force of evil incarnate.

Such was their presence that many a soldier felt their confidence wavering, no doubt there were many who felt like running. Even the king's stalwart gaze fell as he witnessed the sheer size of the Spawns.

On the battle lines, Carver drew in a sharp breath, his grip on his blade tightening, his hands were sweaty. He turned violently when he felt a hand upon his shoulder, and saw Aveline giving him a comforting gaze and a nod, assuring him she would be right there at his side. The young Hawke took a deep breath and nodded back in gratitude.

Serana's eyes narrowed, "its beginning" Her keen gaze allowed her to see the great alpha directing the horde forward with a swift movement of its hand.

The monsters roared and charged, hundreds of footsteps making the ground shake underneath them.

Cailan was swift to give the order, "Archers!"

At his command, a rain of fire metal fell down upon the blighters, striking down many and softening their ranks. Though many continued forth.

"Hounds!"

Dozens upon dozens of large mabari charged and struck down the Darkspawn, disarraying their advance even at the cost of some of their lives.

The first two orders were given, now they needed to seize the opening.

Cailan took out his father's sword and valiantly lead his troops. "For Ferelden!"

The soldiers let out a war cry as they rallied to their king.

The Ferelden army met the Darkspawn horde head on and the battle was joined.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Up at the bridge, Marcus and the others watched on as archers and catapults unleashed their fury from the bridge down towards the spawn. "There are so many of them." Neria shuddered beside Brianna and Gin at they observed the battle below.

"We have to reach the tower of Ishal on the other side of the bridge!" Alistair yelled through the deafening roaring below.

Sofie kept her gaze on her two mothers which thankfully was easy with Miara using Dawnbreaker. At her side Serana, Duncan, and the king tore through any blighter that came for them. "Let's not waste time!" She roared as their group quickly made their way on the bridge. This proved just as dangerous as from the gorge below arrows and fireballs were being fired up at them and the archers.

Out of instinct Neria waved her stave in time placing up a barrier spell. Just minutes before a large fireball would have collided at them and soldiers on the bridge. "Relentless bastards aren't they!" Gin roared as he and other dashed to the other side of the bridge.

Loke barked in agreement before a lone guard ran towards them; "Lord Cousland!" the man hollered in a near panic before stopping out of breath.

"Report!"

"Darkspawn! The damn blighters made it into the tower!"

"What?!" Alistair, Gin, and Brianna all yelled back. "How?" The former Templar spoke again in a steely tone.

The soldier shook his head; "No idea Warden! But they bursted through the tower door and started attacking everyone!"

Sofie soon raised her voice; "Then we send them to void and secure the tower!"

"If the Darkspawn take the tower than the plan is ruined!" Marcus shouted; Loghain's forces depended on the beacon to know when they were to strike. If they didn't attack in time, then it would be too late to support the army and the king. "Let's move!"

They marched as fast as they could, the lone surviving soldier accompanying them; already in the battlements before the tower they saw multiple Darkspawn beginning to swarm the area. They were quick to notice the Wardens and their allies approaching, and howled as they charged wildly to attack.

"Neria, Brianna, clear a path!" The Cousland commanded.

The mages were quick to act; it was especially noteworthy from the Surana's part, a far cry from her own hesitation and fear in the swamp. Now the stakes were on a whole other level. They casted fire and lightning, striking the Darkspawn and thinning their numbers. They left a wide opening for the warriors to charge in unimpeded, blades struck with speed and strength while Gin supported them with precise crossbow bolts.

The soldier that had joined them put on a brave fight, but it was short lived as a shriek appeared out of thin air behind him and slit his throat with bladed arm guards.

Its victory was short lived as Sofie's greatsword cut the blighter in half. The Nordic woman glanced down to Ferelden soldier who had just died for his homeland. A snarl came from her throat at the sight of more Darkspawn charged for her group. With a roar she gave her own charge and ran her greatsword through several Hurlock. Kicking them off she spun with immense speed cutting off their heads.

Close by Marcus with his faithful hound fought through any blighted beast that came for them. Swords, teeth, and claws ripped through both Genlocks and Hurlocks before the noble sidestepped an arrow from a Darkspawn archer. The young noble dashed for the blighter, deflecting or dodging several arrows before slamming his boot into the Hurlock's chest. It was left with no time to recover as Loke's jaws tore into its throat.

Gin kept to Neria and Brianna's side as he used Daveth's crossbow with sharp accuracy. The two mages of the group kept their attacks fierce while protecting their comrades. Steadily they made their way towards the tower entrance.

The last of the Darkspawn fell as Alistair slashed its throats. He signaled the others to follow him towards the great doors that lead to the tower's interior.

"How did the Darkspawn get here without the Wardens feeling them coming?" Sofie asked, sending a questioning look to the Wardens.

"Don't look at me" Brianna raised her palms, "I still can't feel them somehow"

"That takes time" Alistair informed them, before casting a wary gaze at the direction of the battle. "Bloody bastards. They must be using the sheer numbers of the Horde to mask their approach. That huge amount of Taint all gathered in one place is numbing our ability to sense it. No wonder they sneaked up without us knowing"

"I doubt even you Wardens can feel from very far away anyhow" Marcus commented, "Don't be too hard on yourself, what matters now is that we must reach the top of the tower as soon as possible"

"If we are too late?" Neria asked, frightened. She couldn't stop thinking that Wynne was down there, fighting the horde.

"Then the Darkspawn will have killed too many of our soldiers for the strategy to work, the flanking by the rest of our forces will be not be enough"

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Holy fire engulfed a Genlock as it shrieked and flailed wildly. Other Darkspawn soon joined it in the void with Miara slashing any tainted beast with Dawnbreaker and Dragonbane with savage barbarism. Close by Duncan and Serana were facing off against their share of blighted beasts with Cailan showing impressive talent with his father's sword against several Hurlock that charged at him.

Despite the young king's odd enthusiasm he was proving to display skills of a well-trained warrior. His senses sharp and no wasted movement upon cutting down enemies. The young king slammed his armored fist into a Genlock after parrying its battle axe. The punch disoriented the beast long enough for Cailan to slice it in half with pure brute strength.

With her father's katana in one hand and magic in the other, Serana was relentless tearing through the beasts or impaling them with shards of ice. The Commander of the Grey was proving to be a very skilled warrior killing through Darkspawn with great skill.

Miara crossed her blades together, holding them up to stop the falling greatsword from an armored hurlock. Locked in place, the dunmer swiftly danced around the Darkspawn, her katana changing to a reverse grip as she slashed the beast in an arc. Dawnbreaker followed suit, cutting nearly through the same place as Dragonbane, setting the beast ablaze.

"Maker! You need to get me a sword like that!" Cailan laughed, eying the holy weapon with admiration, as though his own blade did have magical runes running down its length.

"Can't, a god gave it to me"

"Hah! Good one"

Serana conjured tendrils of pure shadow underneath three incoming Darkspawn, which soon morphed into spiky chains that held them in place. They struggled but to no avail. The vampire swiftly fired a barrage of ice spikes that swiftly disposed of the monsters. She looked at the corpses of the multiple darkspawn around her, a brow raised elegantly.

"Quick question" She asked the king who was currently dispatching a genlock rogue. "Is necromancy illegal here?"

"Not exactly!" He replied, running the creature down with his sword. "So long as it's not the blood magic variety the Circles are lenient! But even then it's a complex matter, different stances from Circle to Circle" In Orlais? The mere idea of entertaining that magic was absurd. On Nevarra? Oh they couldn't get enough of that. "In fact, I think the Ferelden Circle teaches a few of those spells... Why?" It suddenly occurred to him the sudden question was rather ill timed for the battlefield.

The tall woman smiled. It was a chilling gesture.

"Oh I just wanted to avoid a lynching"

She raised her arms and darkness spread from underneath her robes. It was like smog or smoke, but very much unnatural. It reached to dozens of Darkspawn corpses around her, the flesh eating by the shadows, picked clean until there was nothing but bones.

Empty eye sockets shone with pale blue light, and the skeletal remains of the fallen Darkspawn rose. Clinging to their weapons and looking as ferocious and blood hungry as they did when alive.

Cailan did note rather morbidly that they looked less ugly without their flesh.

Serana swat her arm through the air with a wordless command, and the skeletons silently began to attack any Darkspawn in their proximity.

Cailan blinked a few times as he witnessed the skeletal beasts overwhelmed any Darkspawn that came close. After leaving brutally mutilated corpses they went after more. The king peered wide eyed at the Nordic woman; "Well, I have no complaints." Several more Darkspawn bones came to life from Serana's magic and fought for her.

Sheathing her katana, Miara fired a bolt of lightning from her palm. A foul charred smell rose as least a dozen of the blighted beast were struck together in rapid succession. "Remarkable skill lady Redoran," Duncan complimented as he severed the head of a shriek.

"Same to you!"

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

When Marcus and the group entered the tower they found a macabre sight of dead soldiers and mabari. Blood splattered the walls and coated the floor along with severed limbs. A horrid spectacle of the display of Darkspawn brutality. Neria and Brianna both held back the bile in their throats while a whimper came from Loke who sniffed at the dead mabari.

"Bastards will pay for this," Sofie seethed as she and the other began their trek through the tower. Quickly they found an enormous sinkhole that connected to a large cave, likely where the blighters came from. It was not long before they came into clash against the said beasts that roared and charged at them.

Brianna slammed her stave onto the ground, casting a shockwave of telekinetic energy that hurled all the Darkspawn back. Neria swiftly assisted her friend and added in her own dose of telekinetic spell work, forming a bubble construct of mana that pulled the monsters towards it, right over the hole in the ground.

The Darkspawn were dragged kicking and screaming through the whole, Gin took out a flask from his belt and threw it over the hole, taking satisfaction in seeing a glow coming from inside the tunnel, along with the sounds of hungry flames and the wails of Darkspawn being set ablaze.

The mages once more joined their efforts and closed down the hole, molding the earth for it to be covered up once more.

"Nice work with the fire grenade" Brianna complimented the city elf.

Gin brushed a lock behind his ear as he shrugged. "Gotta do what I can to stay relevant. Not much I can offer with you two around. With the way you can easily kill Darkspawn, no wonder people fear magic so much"

The human mage gave him a deadpanning look while Neria tried not to let his words affect her too much.

Sofie let out a silent hiss, she didn't know if it was intentional or not, but it clearly had touched a sore spot.

"Let's keep going" Marcus spoke up as he signaled the group to move forward

Going up a flight of stone step they turned a corner to a large round room with ornate pillars, it looked like the Darkspawn had had enough time to set up the room to their liking, adorning it with barbaric totems and spikes upon which the heads of their victims were impaled. They feasted and gorged down on the limbs of their victims.

Taking advantage of their distracted state, Sofie charged forward without waiting for the others, sword in hand. Before their widening eyes, fire came out from her back and morphed into wings, her skin looking as though it had scales on it. She leapt high into the air, aiming for the middle of the room.

Fire engulfed her free fist as she roared coming into the middle of the blighted beasts and slammed her burning fist to the ground. A shockwave of flames burned and sent a dozen or so Darkspawn flying. The cement ground crack by the force of the Nordic woman's punch before she whipped around and faced at charging Darkspawn, taking a long deep breathe.

"Yol Toor Shul!" Out of Sofie's mouth came out a stream of pure fire that quickly engulfed the tainted monsters as they cried out in pure agony. It looked much like dragon fire to Marcus and Alistair.

"BY THE MAKER!" Alistair exclaimed in awe and fright.

Neria and Brianna paused as they both felt the immense magical power that came from the older woman. The purest primal force of magic they had ever felt in their lives!

"What was that?!" Alistair exclaimed astonished, "That was unlike any magic I've ever seen..."

"I'd say!" Brianna quickly followed up, walking towards the tall woman. "First of all, what possessed you to use magic in such a brutish way? Second; what was that chant you did? To call it magic would be the same as a calling a frog a dragon"

"Fitting analogy actually" The nord replied in amusement. Now that she was up closer the human mage saw the wings weren't completely physical looking, they flickered a bit like fire. "Back in Tamriel there is this form of battle magics from the school of the Dragonknights. They wield spells inspired by the dragons" That was only half-truth, no need to go into the details of the Thu'um right now. That opened another whole can of worms.

As Brianna pondered on the possibilities of such a way of casting magic, the blue eyed mage looked at her arms, where she saw lines across her skin of what appeared to be light hints of scale on it. "Is this a skin hardening spell?" She asked, placing a hand on Sofie's muscular limb.

"Yeah, adds strength to my body"

"To think there was such a martial application to magic" Brianna muttered, "Not even the Knight Enchanters use their bodies like that; they rely on powerful barriers and their spirit blades"

"Spellswords and battlemages need both brawn and magic" The nord replied as she let the spells fade. The wings disappearing into motes of fiery light and the skin on her arms returning to normal.

Brianna blinked as she squeezed Sofie's arm, "Oh wow I thought it was due to the spell, but you're actually solid like that aren't you? Hey Neria come feel this, they're like rocks!"

"No" The elven mage replied firmly, fighting the heat rushing to her cheeks. "Can we focus on the task at hand? Also, Bri stop feeling her up while we're in the middle of a war, have some decency..."

Gin leaned over to Marcus; "Let's never get on Sofie's bad side." The noble absently agreed before resuming their run up the tower. Only more dead soldiers and mabari greeted them along with more Darkspawn for each floor. Loke tore into several genlocks with Neria's magic aiding the huge hound.

Tabris switched between his crossbow and daggers when some of the blighted got too close. His speed and agility made him a hard target for a large Hurlock for which he took out with a blade to the side of the throat.

"It's like the damn Wilds," Marcus groaned as he slashed through a quadruped Genlock's neck. Indeed, much like the wild the tower was overrun with so many damn Darkspawn. Yet it did not deter the group from their mission as they slew their way upwards.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

A bead of sweat dripped from Miara's face as she beheaded a black armored Hurlock. This battle was soon becoming taxing as the Darkspawn kept throwing their forces against the Ferelden troops. Absently she glanced up to the tower seeing no beacon lit. What was taking so long? Worry knotted in her stomach but she kept fighting, near her Duncan and Serana with the king brought down a large Alpha Genlock. Much like her, their breathe was quickening as their exhaustion was building.

The Dragonborn sharply turned at the hearing a roar. A few feet away stood the giant Hurlock that was leading these monsters. Its red eyes glared with hunger and rage as the elf gave a predatory grin; "Let's see what you got before I send you to the void!"

She sprinted towards the great Tainted creature, bringing her two blades to bear. She side stepped and spun on her foot, delivering her two blades on an arching slash. But the Alpha Darkspawn was faster than she expected, bringing down the shaft of its battleaxe to block the attack and then swat them away. Miara was forced back, her balance broken as her arms flailed, she planted her feet down and regained her stance, but by then the beast was attacking. It brought the axe in an upwards slash, to which the dunmer in disguise dodged, before bringing it down with fierce strength once it was in the air.

The ground around it cracked, Miara had jumped back to avoid the blow. She clicked her tongue in annoyance, for this Darkspawn was showing itself to be very formidable physically. She tried overcoming him with speed instead, but the creature managed to parry and block her strikes with either its great axe or its armored gauntlets.

But all she needed was to find one opening in that thick armor, and Dawnbreaker would make short work of-

The Darkspawn grabbed her wrist in a surprising display of dexterity, keeping her in place. She barely had time to react when the monster brought down its axe on her.

Acting fast, Miara casted a ward with her other hand, letting Dawnbreaker fall from her fingers. The axe collided with the ward, causing it to ripple and shimmer. She grit her teeth as she struggled to both keep the ward up and free her hand, but the beast was not making it easy to do both tasks at once. The sheer strength behind the blow was enough to put a heavy strain on her shield that it was beginning to crack like glass.

With no other choice, Miara let her katana fall and channeled arcs of lightning through her now free palm. Even with her wrist still held in place she could twist it just enough to aim at the Darkspawn's chest. Lightning struck, sending currents of electricity towards its entire body, as a byproduct it also zapped at Miara's own form, but with her resistance it was a small price to pay.

Yet the Darkspawn did not relent, it merely ignored the energy that was burning its skin and flesh through its own armor. The damage did not even look that severe. Miara stared with horrified realization that the great Alpha before her had strong resistance to magic. Either because of its armor or because it was bred that way, she did not know.

What she did know was that her ward would crumble any second now.

Her options were thin, and as much as she knew this would draw unwanted attention. There was simply no other choice, "Fus Ro Dah!" As the giant alpha reared back with it axe she dropped the ward unleashing the full might of her Thu'um. It was no match as it released her wrist and sent airborne like a Yokudan cannonball from one of their warships.

The elf fell to her knees with an exhausted huff with Duncan and Serana quickly to her side. "By Andraste what did you do?" The Commander of the Grey had seen and felt the sheer power the elven woman unleashed by those thunderous words. He had never seen such a thing!

Miara took several breathes while grabbing her swords and being helped up by Serana; "I'll explain later. Where did that bastard land to?"

"No idea," Serana gazed out to the battlefield; "You alright?" Concerned edged in her voice seeing her elven lover look at her wrist.

At first Miara did not answer, she simply surveyed the battle around them. "We've remained in this position too long. We're being overrun." Her eyes sharply turned to Duncan who gazed upward at the tower of Ishal. "Something happened."

Or more specifically, something had NOT happened.

The beacon went unlit, far beyond its appointed time.

Meanwhile the Darkspawn continued to press on against the Ferelden army, and the rest of their forces failed to flank the horde when the opportunity was right.

All around them the bodies of brave Ferelden men and women kept piling up, and yet the Spawn seemed endless.

They had missed their window, Miara realized with horror. She had seen this situation enough times, talked about it with other generals and strategists, with soldiers who had been fortunate enough to have survived.

The battle line had been broken; the Darkspawn forces were overrunning them. Any attempt at enclosing the Darkspawn and flanking them would be suicide.

In short...

"Duncan" The elf said gravely, the words were bitter in her mouth. "The battle is lost"

If not for their keener sense of hearing, they would have missed the sharp intake of air coming from the silver armored man. His eyes continued to gaze upon at the tower, as though by some miracle the beacon could be lit, that aid would arrive at the last moment and the tide could be turned.

But Duncan too had lived long enough to understand the grave reality of a situation when the facts were laid before them. And so the Grey Warden, tasked with ending the Blight, could only let out a mournful sigh...

"So it is"

...and accept defeat.

But not without holding on to a sliver of hope as he turned to the two women; "I must ask you both a favor. Please go to the tower and get Alistair and the others out of here."

"But you and the king," Serana countered as she glanced seeing the young noble valiantly still fighting. "We can't just-"

Duncan interrupted; "I will ensure the king is saved. But you must get the others out of the tower. Only a Grey Warden can stop the Blight." There was a plea in his words both could hear.

Silent for a moment Miara gave a nod; "We will get to them." She paused before sighing; "If the worst happens, it was an honor Duncan."

"The honor was mine, now go!" Without another word the ladies soon raced out of the gorge, slaying any blighter in their path along the way.

Movement stirred from pile of broken trees and smashed Darkspawn on the ground as the Giant Alpha rose to stand. It breathed heavily as its gaze found the elf that sent it flying. A low growl of rage came from under its helmet before grabbing its axe.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Marcus and company caught their breathing as they stood at the door to the very top of the tower. Damn these tainted bastards for flooding the place so quickly. Each floor was a test of endurance as they battled through every blighted beast they came across.

Neria and Brianna leaned against each other with their backs to a wall. Gin cleaned his silverite bolts beside Alistair who steadied himself for whatever was behind that door. Loke lolled his tongue out of his mouth while patting at his master's side. Close by Sofie whipped the sweat off her face with a huff.

"Tenacious bastards aren't they." The Nordic woman bemoaned to the rest. "Almost remind me of Falmer."

"Falmer?" Neria asked with raised brow.

"Tell you later."

Rolling his neck, Marcus turned his gaze to everyone; "Ready to finish this?"

"As if you need to ask" Alistair replied confidently, rolling his shoulders. The movement making his chainmail clink in turn. "We need to light the signal; Duncan and the others are waiting for it"

Neria casted a regeneration spells, invigorating their bodies with renewed stamina, before casting a barrier on their forms as well. Marcus gave her a nod in both a gratitude and approval. Brianna finished drinking a lyrium potion, refilling her rather spent reserves. Gin flickered his blades with a deft movement of his hands, showing he would not let exhaustion get to him.

Sofie wasted no time and kicked the door off its hinges.

They charged forward with strong battle cries, ready to face whatever laid inside. They expected a large number of Darkspawn, but what they found was a singular monstrous one.

It was tall; the nord placed it at the same height as a Dwemer Centurion. With massive rippling flesh and a stench as foul as a necromancer's den. Upon its head were two enormous horns. It sat there with its back turned to them, and when it turned they saw a gruesome face feasting on the flesh that still stuck to a bone.

"So uh" Alistair stammered, "Here's a Warden Lesson for you newbies; that's an ogre"

Sofie saw the challenge before them and grinned, "Now that's a face even a mother wouldn't love"

The ogre finished picking the bone clean and threw it away like trash. It rumbled, a deep rattling sound coming from the chest, as it stood up. Making the others crane their heads up.

"...Holy shit" Neria, who usually avoided using profanity, swore.

The ogre roared, sending spit flying, and Sofie roared back. She charged at the beast, greatsword in hand. The ogre reared its fist and struck, missing as the nord woman dodged and swung her blade, slashing into the beast's chest. Yet the damage was superficial to the ogre, its massive and thick musculature being all the armor it needed.

Alistair and Marcus soon charge for the beast with Loke close beside them. Neria soon sent lightning attacks from her stave with Brianna. Gin kept close firing several Silverite bolts at the beast which bounced off its strong hide.

Sofie kept swift on her feet dodging swipes from the ogre's massive hands. It was remarkable fast for such huge monster. She was quick with her strikes of her swords giving the beast only minor scratches annoying it. The annoyances soon grew for the blighter with Alistair and Marcus continued striking at it,

"What" The human mage grunted with each spell, "does it take" Flesh was burned and seared, yet the thing wouldn't even flinch. It just kept swatting its arms at the warriors, "for you to die?!"

She channeled a powerful lightning bolt straight at the beast's head. It flinched as though struck, streams of electricity running through its horns.

Then it turned to the mage with fury written all over its face.

Brianna realized she had made a mistake.

The ogre crouched, with one hand to the floor and rasping a foot against the floor. It looked very much like a bull with that action.

Alistair quickly ran up towards her, "Watch out!" Bringing his shield to bear and standing in front of her, hoping the barrier on him would suffice.

The beast charged, its mighty footsteps echoing through the chamber. Its hard head colliding with Alistair's shield. The barrier around the Warden flickered and broke like glass, he was sent flying back, colliding with Brianna and taking her with him as they rolled over the floor for a few paces before stopping, their entire bodies aching with pain.

The ogre stomped towards them, but was stopped when to sharp fangs buried themselves on one of its large fingers. The mabari had leapt to its right hand and bit deeply, shaking his body and pulling with all his strength. The ogre roared in anger and shocked the mabari, but the fury soon became pain as the hound took the beast's thumb with him.

The ogre glared at the hound, raising both fists to smash the creature, only for a silverite bolt to bury itself into its eye. It wailed; flailing around widely as Gin smirked. Marcus took advantage of its state and moved towards its now blind side, slashing at the knees before piercing the kneecap bone with a strong thrust from his family sword.

The beast fell to one wounded knee, using a hand to support itself. Before it could move back up, Sofie leap at the creature's back, shrouded in fire and her skin lined with scale like markings. She cried out valiantly as her sword pierced the back and came out from the ogre's chest.

Yet it still would not die, it roared and trashed. So Sofie let go of her blade, letting it remain inside the creature, and moved towards its head. She reached and grabbed the neck with one arm while with the other she grasped a horn.

The nord woman let out a groan that kept building with intensity until it became a shout. She pulled, pulled and pulled with all her strength. The muscles on her forearms and biceps visibly bulging, veins throbbing with the sheer effort the daughter of the dragon was putting.

The snarling ogre's head began tilting, more and more until-

CRACK

-the neck bent at an unnatural angle, accompanied by the loud sound of bones snapping.

The beast fell silent and stopped moving, its body limply laying on the ground.

Sofie let go of the monster, panting and sweating heavily. She sat down on the floor to regain her strength before she could attempt to retrieve her sword, which was still lodged on the ogre.

The tall woman looked around, finding the various gazes of her party. This ranged from curious to outright shocked.

"What?"

"Um nothing" Alistair said, him and Brianna supporting each other as Neria quickly casted a healing spell on them, "just a bit taken aback by the fact that, you know, you just snapped an ogre's neck with your bare hands"

Gin tiredly went to retrieve his bolts, exhaustion raged throughout his body as he rubbed the sweat away. "Well that was an experience." He uttered petting Loke's head as the huge mastiff came beside him.

However not wasting time Marcus dashed for the large collection of wood near the window. Grabbing a lit torch he threw it into the wood which soon set it ablaze.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Well hidden in the forest area around Ostagar, Loghain and his forces remained in position. But they had been waiting for far too long, nearly an hour if Cauthrien was to gauge. She casted short gazes at her commander from time to time, but his stony expression remained the same every time.

Finally, they saw light coming from the tower, and the lieutenant felt she could breathe again. Now all they needed to do was for the general to give the order.

"Sound… the retreat"

Yet his order was far from the one she expected.

Cauthrien turned to face him, shock evident on her face. "But the king, the soldiers…!" At the very least, they needed to save the king.

"The call came too late, the flanking won't work" Loghain replied harshly, "Do as I command!" He nearly seethed, grasping her forearm to emphasize his order.

Cauthrien looked at her mentor for a moment before shaking her hand free. She knew Loghain, and if he said the strategy would only result in more deaths then…

The warrior woman had long since pledged to always follow his command, for she trusted in Loghain.

She turned to face the rest of their forces and signaled them to move out. The soldiers, professionals all, obeyed without question, and marched away from the battlefield.

Loghain remained there for a short moment, fighting down any sense of regret. It was done now, and it was for the good of Ferelden.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

In the gorge Duncan and the king kept on the battle while exhaustion wrecked their bodies. All around them the Ferelden troops and other Wardens battle just as fiercely but were falling fast against the overwhelming numbers of the Darkspawn. Cailan huffed as he slashed through a Hurlock before fear gleamed in his eyes as an ogre charged for him.

Duncan tried to attack the huge beast but was swatted away harshly. Cailan could not react in time as the giant monster grabbed him bringing him up to its face. It roared as Duncan witness the young king being crushed to death before being tossed aside.

Cailan, the king who had bravely fought for his nation, died in the battlefield. Far from the glory he sought to acclaim.

The Warden Commander lacked the strength to fully stand up, all he could do was lay there on his knees as he witnessed the carnage going all around him. His armor never felt heavier.

Then, a tall figure came before him, the Alpha that Miara had fought. It looked down on him as though the Warden was nothing more than a pest.

The Warden knew this was it, but he placed his faith on Alistair and the others. Ferelden could still be saved, the Blight would be beaten back.

Duncan met its gaze unflinchingly, he stared death in the face unafraid even as the axe fell down on him.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

They run as fast as their legs could take them, Miara and Serana did not stop for anything as they raced towards the top of the tower, desperate to reach the others and take them far away from the danger of the battlefield.

But what they found made their hearts stop for a second.

Gin and Neria were both on the ground, arrows buried in their bodies. They saw Brianna fall down with a cry as blade cut through her robes and into the left side of her body. Alistair tried fighting away multiple Darkspawn at once, but failed to see a genlock aiming a crossbow at him, he fell to the ground as he was struck in the back.

Only Sofie, Marcus and Loke remained standing, battling the monsters with all they had.

"Mom!" Sofie shouted at them with desperation, "Help them!"

Fury overcame them, and the Darkspawn were cut down in a storm of magic and blades, none were left alive.

Miara rushed to Gin and Neria's side, and felt partial relief at finding the arrows were not lodged into vital places. Still, if they were not treated soon they'd die of bloodless.

"Brianna's wound is not lethal, but she needs treatment!" Marcus shouted.

"So does Alistair!" Called their daughter.

The battlefield below continued to be overrun; there was no way they could get out here in time.

And when all seemed lost, the flap of wings and a draconian roar were heard. For a moment, Miara dared to hope it was Odahviing, but found a great thedosian dragon bursting through the already broken down wall. Great in size, dark red scales, with four particular curved horns on its heads.

The Dragonborn felt her essence and immediately knew who this was.

"Maker!" Marcus shouted, grabbing his blade and frightfully looking at the beast, "The Archdemon?"

"No" Miara announced, eyes narrowed in mistrust, "Morrigan's mother"

Then, the dragon spoke, much to the Cousland's shock.

"If you seek to live" The voice was grave, deep, but distinctively feminine, all too similar to the old woman. "Then I suggest you accompany me"

Miara and Serana exchanged a look, knowing they could call Odahviing but he would not get here in time. The Darkspawn kept advancing, and their companions needed medical aid.

As much as she hated it, Miara placed their lives on the claws of the dragon she did not trust.

"Fine"

They let the dragon grab the four unconscious Wardens in both claws, while Serana held Marcus tightly, holding unto the forelimbs, with Miara herself doing the same with Loke. Sofie grabbed unto one of the hind legs, looking back to see there wouldn't be more Darkspawn coming for them.

The dragon took flight, and so they escaped as Ostagar grew ever more distant, yet the knowledge of their failure grew all the heavier in their conscience.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Till next time!